"DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THIS LOT HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE AUCTION
The NSU Ro80 was a technologically advanced saloon produced by the West German firm of NSU from 1967 until 1977. Most notable was the powertrain; a 113bhp, 995cc twin-rotor Wankel engine driving the front wheels through a semi-automatic transmission employing an innovative vacuum system, and as such was voted Car of the Year in 1968, by European motoring writers. Other technological features of the Ro80, aside from the powertrain, were the four wheel, inboard, disc brakes, which for some time were generally only featured on expensive sports or luxury saloon cars. It also featured an automatic clutch which was commonly described as a three-speed semi-automatic gearbox: there was no clutch pedal, but instead, on top of the gear knob, an electric switch that operated a vacuum system which disengaged the clutch. The gear lever itself could then be moved through a standard 'H pattern' gate. The shape was also slippery with a drag coefficient of 0.355 allowing for an impressive top speed of 112mph.
First registered on 23rd January 1975, this revolutionary motorcar presents in good order throughout; the interior is in very good condition boasting all its original features. A rare car, with only 45 registered with the DVLA on the road, you are unlikely to come across another at any motoring event. The vendor, a collector of many quirky cars, informs us that the car runs and drives well and is only selling to free up some space. Supplied with its V5C registration document, the NSU offers understated performance and old school German quality from an interesting period in German automotive history. The Wankel-powered NSU Ro80 is now, as it was then, in a class of its own.
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